Mustapha S. Fofana

Combined BSc/MSc, MASc, PhD

Director of Engineering and Technology

Dr Fofana is the Director of the Massachusetts MIRAD Laboratory where they are developing creative engineering, computation and technology to modernize (1) emergency medical services, (2) system manufacturing engineering, (3) emergency meal kitchen services and (4) to analyze the infinite dimensional and stochastic dynamical systems of force feedback bilateral teleoperation robots. Some specific areas of interest include: reducing the overall noise, vibration and mass of ambulance, improving ambulance occupant safety and workspace environment, minimizing response time and building mass-gathering patient transport, water, sanitation and oxygen systems, automated patient health systems and health information management administration, and quantifying vulnerabilities, uncertainties and probabilities in system manufacturing and processes. He is a Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Mechanical, Manufacturing and Robotics Engineering Associate Professor with extensive years of teaching, research, service and collaborative industry experience in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. He teaches wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses at WPI including: Dynamics and Controls both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, Computational, Analytical and Numerical Methods in Mechanical Engineering, CAD/CAM, Machining and Lean Manufacturing Automation and Analytical Mechanics. He is a recognized expert in Delay Dynamical Systems, Manufacturing and Machine-tool Noise and Vibration, Nonlinear Stochastic Dynamics, Ambulance Modernization, Dynamics and Controls of Teleoperation Robots, and advising and mentoring National and International ASME Student Sections and Faculty advisors. He has published a number of journal and conference papers in engineering and math journals. He is an editorial member and reviewer for many technical books, online courseware, conference and journal publications. He has been an invited speaker worldwide at such places as the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Berlin Weierstrass Institute for Applied Analysis and Stochastics, Germany, ENIT de Tarbes, France, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone, University of Waterloo, Canada, Technical University of Budapest, Hungary, Cornell University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Maryland, University of Kentucky, Rutgers University, United States West Point Academy, Stanford University, University of Connecticut, International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (IUTAM), UMASS Memorial Emergency Medicine, Boston Emergency Services, Berlin Emergency Medical Services, America’s Siemens Industry and United Technology. He holds visiting Professorships in Infinite Dimensional and Stochastic Dynamics and Controls of Bilateral Teleoperation Robots at Japan MIE University and Tokyo Institute of Technology, Sustainable Manufacturing at the University of Kentucky and Automated Lean Manufacturing Engineering Systems at Saeilo Manufacturing Industries, Spencer Engineering and America’s Siemens Industry.
Dr. Fofana received MASc and PhD degrees in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada. He earned academic scholarships in research, teaching and course work from the University of Waterloo, Canada where he also received the University of Waterloo Sandford Fleming Foundation Teaching Assistantship Medal. He was the founder and Director of VisibleMath– a Canadian based Software and Educational Company. He also received an academic scholarship from the Governments of Sierra Leone and Hungary, and he obtained a combined BSc and MSc degrees with distinction in Mechanical Engineering and a major in Manufacturing from the Technical University of Budapest, Hungary. He learned to speak and write Hungarian, and as well as reading and interpreting technical and science subjects in Hungarian. As an undergraduate student at the Technical University of Budapest, he wrote and published two papers on mathematical stability theory and its application to machine-tool noise and vibration. He participated in numerous students’ competitions and he won first and third place awards, and certificate recognitions. His thesis work on the Stability of Machine-Tools received the first prize of the prestigious Hungarian Manufacturing and Technology Group. In Hungary he worked at the SZIMFI-Hungarian Machine-Tool Industry as a research engineer. He worked in the development of CNC and manual machine-tool systems. He conducted measurements and analyses to evaluate noise and vibration, and determine the structural and dynamical characteristics of machine tool systems. This was the time when he started using delay differential equations to establish regimes of stable manufacturing processes wherein the occurrence of noise, vibration and unintended accelerations is simply not possible.
Dr. Fofana is the recent recipient of ASME lifetime leadership and services award, and the Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard certificate of merit in recognition of notable services which have assisted greatly in furthering the aims and functions of the Coast Guard. He is District A and International Faculty Advisor and Mentor for Student Sections and Faculty Advisors, and a member of the ASME Board of Directors for Engineering Education and Professional Development. He is Chair of ASME Engineering Research Innovation Committee and Applied Mechanics Division Committee on Stochastic Optimization, Uncertainty and Probability. He has many years of experience as conference organizer for the International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE), chairing the Design and Manufacturing, Dynamics, Uncertainty and Controls and Engineering Education and Professional Development Tracks. He is the founder and Technical Program Chair of the ASME International Regulatory Engineering Conference on Vulnerability, Uncertainty and Probability Quantification. The ASME Board of Governors recognized him several times in testimony of the high regard of his co-workers and the deep appreciation of the Society for his valued services in advancing the engineering profession. The Board of Directors of the Society of manufacturing Engineers also awarded him certificate of Appreciation in recognition of a substantial contribution to the Society through active participation in Manufacturing and International Machining. He received the sigma, mu epsilon award in recognition of his excellence in manufacturing and certificates in Lean Production System Design from Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership, MIT Axiomatic Design for Professors from Massachusetts Institute of Technology Mechanical Engineering Department, Product Design and Management from Ontario African Working Group, Agile Manufacturing from the International Society of Agile Manufacturing, exceptional services from the Technical University of Budapest and WPI Frontiers/Strive for outstanding dedication and commitment to the Frontier/Strive Academic Enrichment Program. He was an elected member and secretary of WPI Undergraduate Outcome Assessment Committee and Committee on Academic Operations, Mechanical Engineering Program Reviewer and ASME Faculty Advisor of WPI Student Section Chapter.